KROQ's 'Psycho Mike' writes about 10 years of sobriety

Mike Catherwood, better known by his radio name 'Psycho Mike," wrote on the KROQ website Oct. 23 about his ten years of sobriety. He currently hosts the nightly "Loveline" show on the alternative rock station.JASON MERRITT, GETTY IMAGES

"I Tip My Tea Cup To You – An Open Letter To My KROQ Family,' wrote "Psycho Mike" Catherwood on the KROQ/106.7 FM website Oct. 23. The headline was large and so was his message. He frankly admitted, "My life in sobriety is without question better than my days of use. My life is undoubtedly harder though."

"Psycho Mike" co- hosts the nightly "Loveline" on KROQ and was part of the Kevin and Bean morning show for years. He seemingly could do it all – man on the street interviews, producer, impersonations, and musical parodies. His Oct. 23 "letter"revealed his serious side:

"Today I am ten years sober. I understand that one of the major tenets of recovery is anonymity, but I threw my anonymity in all respects right out the door when I became a radio personality. I often struggle with the on-air candor of my disease because I don't want to exploit or accidentally glorify addiction.

"I can reconcile by reminding myself that, especially through Loveline, I can be of help to those who also battle the disease of addiction. I don't commonly reflect on my time in sobriety, but the decade mark has been an unexpectedly impacting one on me. My mind grew heavy, almost overwhelmed by memories of both the good and the bad since 2002. These unforeseen thoughts and feelings inspired me to write this letter.

"I write this which you are reading, not for self congratulations, but rather as an open thank you letter to my entire KROQ family. That family is comprised of two factions; my co-workers and the listeners.

My life in sobriety is without question better than my days of use. My life is undoubtedly harder though. Gone is my safe haven of drink, powder and pills. In its place is the KROQ staff and the greatest listeners in the world.

"I am certain that I couldn't have risen this morning a sober man, without the undying support of all of you and I am eternally grateful. Through marriage, divorce, failure and success you were all there to comfort and support me, whether you knew it or not.

With Love,

Michael D. Catherwood

"Psycho Mike"

I asked Gene "Bean" Baxter for a comment. He e-mailed, "I didn't know Mike before he was sober but I suspect he traded his bad addictions for good addictions. The Mike I know is just addicted to excellence. His focus now is on working hard and being a good human and very little else. Yes, we talk to Mike as his schedule permits but we miss him every day." More information: http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2012/10/23/i-tip-my-tea-cup-to-you-an-open-letter-to-my-kroq-family

MARK, LYNDA PODCAST

Mark Thompson and wife Lynda kicked off their new daily podcast at www.markandlynda.us on Oct. 22. Radio historian Don Barrett (www.LARadio.com) wrote about the first show and interviewed Thompson.

"They basically deal with relationship issues but after listening to the debut hour, it seems they will be diverting off into familiar territory. Monday they spent a half hour with singer John Waite. Mark said if there can be a best friend, it would be John," Barrett wrote.

Asked for comments, Thompson said, "Great in one respect in that I'm very pleased with how the show sounds. Two shows in and I feel pretty good about the content of each. It's true what they say; content is king and always will be. I feel great about the way Lynda who isn't and never has been a broadcaster has jumped in and made the role her own.

"We debuted No.1 in iTunes 'Health' section and No. 5 in ALL podcasts. I feel great about that. "

Barrett: "Your daughter seems to have fun with the celebrity corner. Will she be a regular? "

Thompson: "Lynda and I knew early on that Katie has the ability to be huge in the world of broadcast. She is a regular, every Monday with 'Katie's Korner.' Plus we will look for other things for her to do as well. We couldn't get rid of her if we wanted to."

JAY THOMAS STORY

Cheryl West of Costa Mesa is one of my best friends. She has a knack for finding rare clips on animals and people. The other day she emailed me an item on radio-TV veteran Jay Thomas and TV's The Lone Ranger.

Mike Catherwood, better known by his radio name 'Psycho Mike," wrote on the KROQ website Oct. 23 about his ten years of sobriety. He currently hosts the nightly "Loveline" show on the alternative rock station. JASON MERRITT, GETTY IMAGES
Jay Thomas recalled his adventure in the early '70s with Clayton Moore, TV's The Lone Ranger on CBS-TV's David Letterman show. Today Thomas is on weekdays on SiriusXM radio. SIRIUS XM PHOTO
Clayton Moore, who portrayed The Lone Ranger on TV, was with radio-TV personality Jay Thomas in the early '70s at a car dealership when two cars collided. Thomas told what happened next on TV's David Letterman show.
"Dancing With The Stars" host Tom Bergeron will receive a top award from Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters at its Nov. 16 luncheon in Studio City. Bergeron's credits include many TV programs, including "Hollywood Squares." KEVIN WINTER, GETTY IMAGES

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